THE THEATRE.
Is situate on the west side, and nearly in the centre, of Carrhillgate, and was erected in 1789, by the late Mr. Pero, then manager of this circuit, who purchased the ground of the late Sir Thomas Woolaston White, Bart. Its exterior appearance is certainly not of a very imposing or prepossessing character, but its interior, (from the improvements and decorations which it has recently received from the pencil of Mr. Fraser) certainly entitles it to rank in the second class of country theatres. Its dimensions however, it is to be regretted, are too circumscribed, and, from a combination of local circumstances, do not admit of any enlargement on the ground plan. The house is calculated at the ordinary prices of 3s. boxes, 2s. pit, and 1s gallery; to hold from £40 to £50. The corps dramatique generally attend once in the year, and upon the whole have been tolerably well patronized, for which Mr. Manly, the present highly respected manager, from his high and public spirited conduct in catering for the public amusement, is entitled to the thanks of all those who profess to be lovers of the drama. Several of the nobility and gentry in the neighbourhood have, at times, become its patrons. It is worthy of remark, by way of conclusion, that this was one of the earliest provincial theatres that the celebrated Master Betty visited in his professional tour. Miss Fearon, now Madam Fearon, delighted the Retford audience before she appeared on the London stage; and during the last year Miss Foote gratified the admirers of the drama here with a fine specimen of her abilities.
THE NEWS ROOM.
Is situate on the east side of the Market Place, and was erected by the Corporation some years ago. The subscribers, which consist of about forty gentlemen of the town and vicinage, are admitted by ballot the first tuesdays in January, April, July, and October, and pay each an annual subscription of £1. 11s. 6d. No strangers are admitted but through the introduction of a member, except officers of the army and navy. Subscribers confined by illness have the use of any paper the day after its arrival, except the sunday papers, which are not allowed to be taken away until the following tuesday. The room is commodious and suitably adapted to the purposes to which it is appropriated, and contains full length portraits of George the Second, and his consort Caroline, presented a few years back by Lord Viscount Galway.
THE POST OFFICE.
The Post Office is situated on the north side of Newgate Street, in a very convenient situation, being only about forty yards from the high road,—it is kept by Miss Elizabeth Barker. Letters from hence are forwarded to the north every noon, and to London, and the south at half-past one every afternoon, (saturdays excepted to the former place.) The office is open every morning at eight o’clock, and continues so until twenty minutes before twelve, it is open again a few minutes before two, and remains so until ten at night. By order of the Post Master General, a penny extra is charged upon every letter (besides the postage) delivered at the residence of the person belonging to the same.
Immediately on the arrival of the North Mails, (at a little before two o’clock;) a Mail Cart which arrives at half-past eleven every morning, is immediately despatched to Worksop, taking letters, parcels, &c. for that place and its immediate neighbourhood.
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© A P NICHOLSON | PAGE LAST UPDATED: 29 MAY 2003